A Major Step Towards National Concord in Laos

IN September 14, 1973, the representatives of the Lao Patriotic Forces side and the Vientiane Government side formally signed in Vientiane the Protocol to the Agreement on Restoring Peace and Achieving National Concord in Laos. The protocol stipulates important measures for implementing the Vientiane agreement and the formation of a new Provisional National Union Government and a National Coalition Political Council. The signing of the protocol is a major step towards achieving national concord in Laos and a tremendous achievement of the Lao people and Lao Patriotic Forces following the signing of the Vientiane agreement. The Chinese Government and people welcome this and express their congratulations. Since the signing of the Vientiane agreement on Laos, the Lao Patriotic Front and the Lao Patriotic Neutralist Forces have strictly abided by and conscientiously implemented the Vientiane agreement in the spirit of national concord, equality and mutual respect, and fought resolutely against the obstructions and sabotage of the bilateral negotiations by the ultra-Rightist forces in Laos. In the talks to settle the existing problems, the Lao Patriotic Forces set forth a series of reasonable and just proposals, demonstrated the greatest sincerity to seek national reconciliation and made positive contributions to promoting a peaceful solution of the Lao issue. The signing of the protocol to the Vientiane agreement has proved once again that the matters of a country can only be handled by its own people. Free from foreign intervention, it is entirely possible for the people to settle their own internal affairs. In Laos today, to really end the war and realize national concord is the inevitable trend and common aspiration of the people. Although the ultra-Rightist forces in Laos tried their utmost to put up obstructions and even plotted a military coup in an attempt to scuttle the negotiations, agreement has been finally reached on a series of outstanding questions and a protocol signed after talks for several months. This is the result of the principled struggle by the Lao Patriotic Forces and the efforts made by some far-sighted personages of the Vientiane Government side. A new Provisional National Union Government and a National Coalition Political Council are to be formed. This is completely in conformity with the common aspirations of the entire Lao people. It is hoped that after its formation the Provisional National Union Government will function in accordance with the principle of unanimity of the two sides as stipulated in the Vientiane agreement and seriously implement the signed agreement and the political programme agreed upon by the two sides so as to enable Laos to embark step by step on the road to peace, independence, neutrality, democracy, unity and prosperity. The Lao people's just cause to strive for and maintain independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity is invincible. The Lao people have traversed a road of struggle full of complexities and vicissitudes in the past 20 years. They are sure to encounter various difficulties and obstacles on their road of advance. However, it can be said with certainty that no difficulty or obstacle whatsoever can stop the victorious march of the tested and tempered Lao people. China and Laos are friendly neighbours. A longstanding traditional friendship exists between our two peoples. The Chinese Government and people have always respected the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Laos and regarded it as their due internationalist obligation to support the just cause of the Lao people, We shall, as always, continue to resolutely support the just struggle of the Lao people. We arc convinced that Sino-Lao friendship will certainly attain a new development in the days to come.